Du Plessis Defeats Usman by Unanimous Decision at UFC Fight Night Oklahoma City

OKLAHOMA CITY — Former UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis returned to the win column with a unanimous-decision victory over ex-welterweight king Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC Fight Night 281 on Saturday at Paycom Center, according to MMA Junkie and ESPN.

By Source Reporters Newsdesk

Mon, 20 July 2026 · 1 min read

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The judges scored the five-round middleweight bout 50-45, 49-46 and 49-46 in favour of Du Plessis, MMA Junkie reported. The 32-year-old South African improved to 24-3 in mixed martial arts (10-1 in the UFC); Usman fell to 21-5 (16-4 UFC), ESPN said.

## UFC Fight Night Oklahoma City Results: Du Plessis Dominates Usman

Du Plessis, who lost his 185-pound title to Khamzat Chimaev last August, controlled the striking and pressured Usman across all five rounds, The Oklahoman reported. The co-main event paired middleweight contenders Jared Cannonier and Christian Leroy Duncan.

The victory strengthens Du Plessis' case for another middleweight title opportunity. UFC officials have not announced his next bout.

The result was confirmed by UFC.com's official event results page published on 19 July.

**Global angle:** The bout paired two former UFC champions and drew attention across Africa, where Du Plessis remains a marquee figure, and Nigeria, Usman's adopted homeland.

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